NW Illinois News

Li Arellano, senator for State Senate District 37, emphasized the importance of Volunteer Fire Assistance grants in aiding rural fire departments to organize, train, and equip teams to better combat fires. "Especially in areas at high risk of wildfires," he said in a Facebook post on March 7.

"The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance grants from NOW to April 14," said Arellano, State Senator, according to Facebook. "These grants help rural fire departments organize, train, and equip their teams to better combat fires, particularly in areas at risk of wildfires."

The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. According to the department's webpage, small and rural fire departments can apply for grants covering up to 50% of a project's cost, with a maximum grant amount of $10,000 per project. However, no single project can exceed $5,000. The funding is specifically designated for fire-related projects; emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials (HazMat), or crash rescue projects are not eligible. Eligible applicants include agencies defined as fire departments, fire districts, or fire protection districts serving populations of 10,000 people or less. Additionally, organizations must have a current Memorandum of Understanding with IDNR to qualify.

Screenshot of State Senator2 Li Arellano's March 7 Facebook post | State Senator Li Arellano Jr.'s Facebook page

Grantees are required to register with the State of Illinois and possess a current Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and System for Award Management (SAM) Cage Number. They must also be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and not appear on federal excluded parties lists or the State of Illinois Stop Pay list. Applications for assistance must be submitted by April 14 at 8 a.m., including a Uniform Application for State Assistance, the VFA FY25 Application, and Budget Template sent to Matthew.Bernhardt@illinois.gov. The State Forester and Evaluation Committee will review applications based on criteria such as hazard degree, number of applicants, program aspects used, insurance rate effects, compatibility with statewide rural protection plans, lack of tax base among others.

Arellano previously served two terms as Mayor of Dixon and is also a small business owner with two Jimmy John’s franchises and other ventures. Shaw Local reported that he ran on a platform focused on cleaning up the city following Rita Crundwell’s conviction for fraud and embezzlement involving $54 million during her tenure as treasurer from 1983 to 2012.